Planar imaging sensor having plural photo detector groups with different detection windows

Abstract

A planar imaging sensor is provided. The planar imaging sensor comprises a plurality of photo detectors, wherein the plurality of photo detectors are divided into at least a first group and a second group. The number of photo detectors in the second group is larger than the number of photo detectors in the first group. The photo detectors of the first group are configured to have a first detection window, while the photo detectors of the second group are configured to have a second detection window. The second detection window is configured to start later in time than the first detection window.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A planar imaging sensor comprising a plurality of photo detectors, wherein
 the plurality of photo detectors are divided into at least a first group and a second group, 
 the photo detectors of the first group are configured to have a first detection window, 
 the photo detectors of the second group are configured to have a second detection window, which second detection window is configured to start later in time than the first detection window, and 
 the number of photo detectors in the second group is larger than the number of photo detectors in the first group. 
 
     
     
       2. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the second detection window is longer than the first detection window. 
     
     
       3. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein a detection window associated with a photo detector is reconfigurable. 
     
     
       4. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the second detection window is configured to start substantially when the first detection window is configured to end. 
     
     
       5. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photo detectors are divided into a plurality of groups, each group having a specific detection window, the number of photo detectors in each group corresponding to a starting time of the specific detection window. 
     
     
       6. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the grouping of the photo detectors is reconfigurable. 
     
     
       7. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photo detectors are single photon avalanche diodes. 
     
     
       8. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one light emitting component. 
     
     
       9. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one photo sensor configured to measure an intensity of light. 
     
     
       10. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the planar imaging sensor is implemented in one chip. 
     
     
       11. The planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein the groups are configured to represent one spatial output pixel. 
     
     
       12. A sensor system comprising:
 a planar imaging sensor according to  claim 1 ; and 
 a processor communicably coupled to a light source and the planar imaging sensor, the processor being configured to process data collected by the planar imaging sensor from multiple spatial positions. 
 
     
     
       13. A method for recording and processing of an image, comprising:
 emitting light; 
 detecting reflected light for a first period of time starting at time t1 and using a first group of photo detectors; and 
 detecting reflected light for a second period of time starting at time t2 and using a second, larger group of photo detectors, 
 
       wherein t2 is later than t1. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the second period of time is longer than the first period of time.